My 6 yr. old has been begging for a dog for as long as I can remember. She is addicted to Animal Planet and loves The show Animal Miracles. She wants a dog to be her best friend and by her side at all times(doesn't everyone). We live in a house and have a small fenced in backyard. A small to medium size dog would be the best for us. Do yall have any suggestions?
2006-10-25 08:31:24 · 23 answers · asked by Carrie H 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I wouldn't recommend a specific breed. There are always both positive and negative examples of a breed no matter what it is. I would recommend, however, adopting a dog from a local shelter. This isn't only a good thing to do (saving a dog's life), but it also allows you to adopt a dog that is a little older, past the chewing stage, and also has developed more of a personality. This way, you are more able to tell what the dog will tolerate. Before you take your kids to the shelter, go by yourself (or with a friend). Choose some dogs to take out and do a "personality" test with them. Mimic things a kid is likely to do to the dog--pull it's ears, pick up it's feet, wave around, make noise, jump up and down, hang on it's neck, etc. The dog she have NO negative reactions to any of these tests. You should also consider activity levels. Do you want a border collie that will need to be exercised extensively every day? Do you want an English Bulldog that will be happy with a slow stroll, but certainly doesn't want to run around for extended periods of time? Or something in the middle. After you have identified several possibilities, bring your children to the shelter and see how the dog reacts to them. The dog should not be scared or intimidated by the children, but the dog also shouldn't barrel right up to them and knock them over. Every dog has a different personality, even within specific breeds. It's best to take it on a case by case basis. By rescuing a dog, you will also be teaching your kids a very important lesson about being responsible with your pets. Good luck! Dogs are wonderful!
2006-10-25 08:46:44 · answer #1 · answered by Stephanie H 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I definitely agree with the suggestion of a boxer as they do have the reputation of being great with children. They also do not have the doggy smell and shedding issues associate with many of the dogs suggested by other responders. That said, they can have a drool problem and take a certain level of activity.
With your kids being younger you may want to look into a breed specific rescue dog. There are many dogs out there in need of a good home (and without behavioural issues) who will love you and your kids for giving them a good home and lots of love. One other bonus is that you will not have to do so much training as with a puppy. Many have had obedience and training as part of their rescue process. The people running the rescue operation will also be able to help you with picking the right dog for your family so you don't end up with a cute but inappropriate dog.
As mentioned before, just because a breed has a certain reputation does not mean an individual dog will live up or down to it. One other thought, do not tie the acquisition of a dog to the winter holiday season (whichever you celebrate) unless you make the promise of a dog the gift. It is unfair to an animal to come into the additional craziness of the holidays.
Enjoy making this decision on an addition to your family.
2006-10-25 09:07:43 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would suggest a beagle/lab/german shepherd/pitbull mix. :D
Because that's what kind of dog I have and she is the BEST, I tell you, the best. haha
I really do think a mutt would be the best, although you may want to get one that's at least nearly full grown or a full grown one whose history is known so you get no surprises about how big the fully grown dog will be
Butterfly, you cannot guarantee the temperment of ANY dog, purebred or not. Sure, there are breed standards, but not every dog fits into that perfect little mold.
And just because a dog comes from a shelter does not mean that it's a mutt or that it was abused(that's what I assume you meant by your last sentence). Purebred dogs get abused plenty. Look at the bad rap pit bulls are getting because of all the **** quite a few of them go through
Another thing is, dogs don't have to be abused to attack. They can just be mentally ill, like humans. The crap that people try to pass off as fact irritates the hell out of me.
2006-10-25 08:40:46 · answer #3 · answered by jaxchick23 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
how big of a dog do you want? your best bet is to get a puppy, either from the pound or from a breeder. This way you can raise the dog your way and not have to retrain them so to speak. I've had dogs from the day I was born. I've had both mutts and pure breeds. I would tend to agree more with nikki_T on one exception, and that is that ya don't know what kinda dog you're gonna get from the pound. I've rescued several dogs, and got lucky they turned out to be awesome pets. If you want your dog to be your daughters best friend, start the right way and go thru the process of training the dog from the start....This way you know your dog and the dog knows you....And excellent choice is German shepards,( ihave 2 and they are great dogs) Labs (altho very hyper), and my personal favorite..Belgian sheepdogs. You also must consider the size of the dog how much you want to spend if you buy a pure breed,and how big your yard is so they can run around and have a happy life...I've worked in kennals 2 vets, and have extensive training experience...as well as dog showing experience....
2006-10-25 08:56:34 · answer #4 · answered by QEQWWEWE Q 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Golden retrievers may not be the right sized dog for what you're looking for but they are excellent with kids. I have 2 goldens and we are not around kids very often however if we meet any at the park or during our walks both are very gentle.
Your yard might not be a problem if your children will be playing with the dog often. Mine do love to run in the yard but with the wetter weather here I do not let both dogs out at once or both come back full of mud. They get plenty of exercise rough-housing indoors though.
I also sometimes take the older one to where I work (at a home for the aged) and he is wonderful with the residents.
2006-10-25 08:44:15 · answer #5 · answered by Ersabette 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Golden Retriever is a good all round breed as long as you've a minimum of a medium sized backyard it may run round in. it really is a huge dogs and it could be torture for the negative component to be cooped up in a house all day. Golden Retrievers are pleasant, not overly territorial, dependable, comfortable, intuitive, quick inexperienced persons, wonderful companions. i'd recommend adverse to greyhounds and dalmations, as they have a tendency to be hyper and/or extreme upkeep. No chows or bulldogs because of difficulty-loose bone issues. No breed that has a tendency to be overbred and/or aggressively territorial (rottweiler, doberman pinscher, boxer, mastiff, pit bull, and so on.).
2016-12-05 05:36:49 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A mixed breed dog from your local animal shelter is always your best choice. Go there and talk to the staff. They have alot of experience judging a dogs demeanor and can match your family up with a great pet, and you will get personal satisfaction knowing you have rescued an otherwise doomed animal.
2006-10-25 08:37:24 · answer #7 · answered by tropicals99 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Mutt, mutt, mutt. Sure, Labs are great, Goldens are cute and fun, but you can't beat a mutt. Especially one who is living in a concrete box at a shelter somewhere. I wouldn't pay thousands, or even hundreds for a dog that someone bred when there're already so many orphans out there.
And if you really want a pure bred something or other, go to a rescue organization. You may not get papers, but you'll be adopting a pet that desperately needs you and your kids.
Good luck!
2006-10-25 08:42:00 · answer #8 · answered by KJ 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Once you start focusing on breeds you going to get yourself in trouble b/c there is no breed that is good with kids just individual dogs that are good with kids. If you focus on a particular breed you'll start overlooking other probelms. I cant count the times I seen a family with a lab they cant control b/c they are supposedly good with kids. I would suggest looking to adopt an adult dog that mingles well with your family. Make sure the dogs energy level matches your family's and so on
2006-10-25 08:41:56 · answer #9 · answered by Matt O 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know this is not a small to medium dog but labradore retrievers are great dogs for families. My parents have had three and they are great dogs.
With having a 3 year old the pounds won't let you adopt a dog because of your youngest age. I know this because we tried to adopt a dog and my younger sister was 3 and they wouldn't let us.
It is best to go with a purebreed because you can be certain of their temperment. With mutts you can't be sure. Plus abused dogs can attack.
2006-10-25 08:40:00 · answer #10 · answered by butterflykisses427 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋